Djebel el Messeftine MTO (id:#61829)

(March Madness 2012 Double-Blind Pack ID: MM23)   [next]   [previous]

Matuer, Tunisia 1943-05-06 (0 others)

Overview:

Axis forces have been falling back steadily since March 1943 under pressure from the reorganized (after Kasserine) US forces. In early May, the US II Corps advanced in a supporting role to the main thrust by the British First Army (led by the British V Corps) towards Medjez el Bab. The 1st US Armored Division was ordered to break through the German defenses east of Mateur, Tunisia north toward Ferryville and east into the Tunis plain to encircle both Bizzerte and Tunis. On 3 May, Combat Command B (CCB) units from the 1st Armored Division entered Mateur. On 5 May, CCA was ordered to attack the ridgelines and hill mass straddling the Mateur-Ferryville Road just northeast of Mateur. The Djebel el Messeftine Ridgeline was held by the Manteuffel Division, an ad hoc organization formed from various Luftwaffe, Field/Replacement, and Italian units. Although ad hoc, the Manteuffel Division was composed of veteran units and would be a tough nut to crack.

Defender: Axis (2nd Battalion, Fallschirmjäger Regiment Barenthin and 1st Platoon, A Company, 2nd Battalion, Panzer Grenadier Regiment 160, 15th Panzer Division w/ StuG Battery 90 and A Company, 34th Battalion, Bersaglieri Regiment 10, Manteuffel Division)  

Errata (source)